Once you’re familiar with layers, the next step is learning how to use Blend Modes and Effects in Procreate. These tools let you control how one layer interacts with the layers beneath it — making it easier to add shadows, lighting, textures, and other visual effects without changing your original artwork.
What Are Blend Modes?
Blend Modes (also called Layer Modes) change how a layer’s pixels blend with those below it. This is useful for shading, highlights, overlays, and more. To access them, tap the letter (usually “N”) on the right side of any layer in the Layers panel.
Procreate offers dozens of blend modes, but here are a few of the most commonly used:
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Multiply: Darkens the layer — great for adding shadows.
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Screen: Lightens the layer — useful for glow effects or highlights.
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Overlay: Boosts contrast and saturation for vivid lighting.
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Soft Light: A subtle alternative to Overlay for gentle light or shade.
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Color: Applies color without affecting texture or shading underneath.
You can change the intensity of any blend mode by adjusting the layer’s opacity using the slider above the list of modes.
Using Effects from the Adjustments Menu
Procreate also includes powerful effects under the Adjustments tab (magic wand icon). These are applied directly to the layer or canvas, and include:
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Gaussian Blur: Creates smooth shading or focus effects.
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Motion Blur & Perspective Blur: Adds a sense of speed or depth.
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Hue, Saturation, Brightness (HSB): Adjusts the overall color tone of your layer.
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Color Balance & Curves: Fine-tune highlights, shadows, and midtones.
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Noise, Glitch, Bloom, Halftone: Add stylistic or retro visual effects.
Many of these effects can be applied with a single tap or controlled using sliders — and some support Apple Pencil pressure for precise application.
How to Use Non-Destructive Effects
If you want to preserve your original artwork, apply effects non-destructively using duplicated layers, masks, or adjustment layers (when available). For example:
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Duplicate a layer before blurring it so you can compare changes.
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Use Alpha Lock or Clipping Masks to apply shading only where needed.
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Combine Blend Modes with Effects to achieve complex looks without merging layers.
Blend Modes and Effects are what take flat drawings and give them depth, mood, and polish. Don’t worry if the options seem overwhelming at first — the best way to learn is by experimenting. Up next, we’ll look at using Selection and Mask tools to refine specific areas of your work with more control and precision.
